CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What primarily causes the ball bearings to wear in an X-ray tube?

1. Excessive radiation exposure

2. Rotor prep time

3. Heat from the X-ray tube

4. Incorrect oil levels

The correct answer is: Rotor prep time

The primary cause of ball bearing wear in an X-ray tube is related to rotor prep time. When the rotor starts to spin, it requires a specific amount of time to reach the necessary speed for optimal X-ray production. During this rotor prep time, the bearings are subjected to friction and mechanical stress. If this process is lengthy or involves repeated activation without proper cooling periods, it can accelerate wear and tear on the ball bearings. In contrast, the other options address different aspects of X-ray tube performance or maintenance. Excessive radiation exposure does not inherently impact the physical components of the X-ray tube like ball bearings. Heat from the X-ray tube is significant for the overall functionality and longevity of the tube but does not directly lead to bearing wear in the absence of rotor activity. Lastly, incorrect oil levels may affect other components or the heat dissipation but do not directly correlate with the wear of the bearings caused by rotor operation.